At 25, Guwahati Planetarium set to give skywatchers a ‘cosmic treat’

GUWAHATI

Guwahati Planetarium, the one-of-its-kind centre of astronomical education and research in the Northeast, is all set to give skywatchers and astronomy buffs a real feel of the cosmic world.

The planetarium has added a virtual reality zone (VR Zone) and an astronomical gallery to its repertoire to mark its completion of 25 years.

The new facilities will be open to visitors from November 22.

“While the VR Zone has been set up in collaboration with the Design Department of IIT Guwahati, the astronomical gallery has been designed and developed by the Creative Museum Designers, Kolkata,” the planetarium’s director, Kimnei Changsan, informed on Friday.

The VR Zone will enable viewers to immerse themselves in a real feel of the cosmic world.

The astronomical gallery will help visitors learn about the universe, development of astronomy apart from providing hands-on learning facilities for children.

But that’s not all. The planetarium will also have a state-of-the-art multi-activity centre on its premises.

“The facility will be constructed at a projected cost of Rs 12.42 crore and will have a 5-D theatre, virtual reality lab, tinkering lab, auditorium with all modern facilities and exhibition corners so that science-loving people, particularly students, can spend some creative time, apart from watching planetarium shows,” Changsan said.

Assam education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and science and technology minister Keshab Mahanta will lay the foundation stone of the multi-activity centre on November 22.

The two ministers will also inaugurate the VR Zone and the astronomical gallery.

“The silver jubilee celebrations of the planetarium had commenced from August 17, 2019, with various activities, including beautification and addition of new facilities. Competitions, webinars, discussions have also been organised,” the director said.

A souvenir published on the occasion will also be released on Sunday.

(Edited by Andre Kongri)